A single unnoticed hazard can affect more than safety. It can disrupt the shopper experience, interrupt service, and erode confidence in the store’s standards.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 450,540 private-industry cases involving days away from work due to falls, slips, or trips in 2022. The National Safety Council reports that the total cost of work injuries in 2023 reached 176.5 billion dollars, including wage losses, medical care, administrative costs, and lost productivity.

For retailers, these figures tell only part of the story. Every preventable incident also damages the perception of safety that defines shopper trust. Stores that appear unsafe or poorly maintained risk losing both traffic and loyalty.

Most safety programs rely on periodic walkthroughs and manual checks. Yet hazards often appear between those inspections, when associates are busy helping customers or restocking during peak hours. That is where preventable incidents take root, and where technology can make the greatest difference.

Traditional inspection routines cannot match the pace of retail. The National Safety Council estimates that 103 million workdays were lost in 2023, including 70 million from new injuries and 33 million from prior-year incidents.

Beyond direct losses, OSHA’s Safety Pays model shows that indirect costs such as overtime, training, and lost productivity can equal or exceed the direct cost of each injury.

Badger Technologies’ next-generation digital teammates help close those gaps by continuously scanning aisles, detecting hazards in real time, and alerting associates immediately. This constant awareness allows teams to act before risks become incidents and before shoppers ever notice a problem.

The result is not just prevention. It is consistency. Store leaders gain confidence knowing that safety is being addressed continuously, even during the busiest hours.

Safety excellence begins with culture. The right tools strengthen that culture by extending its reach.

• NSC case studies show 52% fewer claims and 87% lower lost time after adopting data-driven safety programs.
• Gallup research links highly engaged teams to 17% higher productivity and 21% higher profitability.

In retail, that engagement shows up in ways shoppers can see and feel. It creates clean aisles, reliable service, and consistent execution.

Badger Technologies’ next-generation digital teammates help reinforce that culture by providing 24/7 visibility and data-driven accountability. Associates know hazards will be detected, alerts will be sent, and documentation will be available for every shift.

Safety becomes a shared responsibility that protects both associates and shoppers while strengthening operational confidence.

Cleanliness and safety work together to shape the customer experience. A spotless aisle is more than a visual cue; it signals professionalism and care.

• 95% of shoppers notice store cleanliness (Nilfisk).
• 52% of consumers stop buying after a bad experience (PwC).

Badger Technologies’ next-generation digital teammates help stores maintain those impressions by continuously monitoring aisles and alerting associates before customers ever see a problem.

This level of visibility ensures that floors stay clean, displays stay orderly, and shoppers feel safe throughout their visit. A clean, safe environment reflects the discipline of the team and the integrity of the brand.

Safety investments protect more than people. They safeguard profitability and strengthen loyalty.

• Average cost of a medically consulted injury: $43,000
• Average cost of a fatal injury: $1.46 million (NSC)

Organizations that adopt proactive “find and fix” programs experience measurable improvement. NSC case studies have documented reductions of up to 52 percent in claims after systemwide adoption.

Badger Technologies’ next-generation digital teammates make that level of prevention attainable and measurable. Every detection, alert, and resolution is logged automatically, creating a verifiable record that strengthens compliance and provides actionable insights for continuous improvement.

Retailers that integrate safety and cleanliness into daily operations earn more than compliance. They earn trust.

When shoppers feel safe, they stay longer, return more often, and recommend the store to others. When associates feel supported, they work with greater confidence and consistency. The combination leads to stronger performance, steadier labor productivity, and lasting loyalty.

Badger Technologies’ next-generation digital teammates are helping retailers achieve that balance. They ensure that awareness never lapses, hazards are addressed in minutes instead of hours, and both shoppers and associates experience the benefits of a safer, cleaner store.

By pairing human partnership with digital precision, safety becomes more than a program. It becomes a promise, one that protects people, preserves profits, and builds lasting confidence across every store.

What are the top benefits of proactive retail safety?

✔ Reduced injury costs – Lower medical expenses and fewer lost workdays.
✔ Improved shopper confidence – Clean, safe environments build trust.
✔ Continuous hazard detection – Real-time alerts prevent incidents.
✔ Stronger compliance – Automated records support audits.
✔ Increased profitability – Safer stores drive efficiency and loyalty.
 

How does proactive safety reduce injury costs?
✔ Detect hazards in real time.
✔ Prevent costly accidents and compliance penalties.
 

Why is shopper confidence important for retail success?

✔ Shoppers trust clean, safe environments.

✔ Confidence leads to longer visits, repeat purchases, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. 

How does hazard detection technology improve compliance?

✔ Automated detection and alert systems create verifiable records for audits, ensuring compliance with OSHA and other safety standards.

Can proactive safety impact profitability?

✔ Yes. Fewer incidents mean lower costs and higher operational efficiency, which translates into stronger margins and customer loyalty.

•    U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities Summary (2023).
•    National Safety Council (NSC). Work Injury Costs (2023).
•    OSHA. Safety Pays Estimator (Accessed 2025).
•    Gallup. State of the Global Workplace Report (2023).
•    Nilfisk. Cleaning Insights: Consumer Attitudes Toward Store Cleanliness (2023).
•    PwC. Future of Customer Experience (2023).

• Explore Our Hazard Detection Technology
• Read About Our Retail Automation Services

Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil, is a leader in retail automation and artificial intelligence solutions. Its autonomous robots and digital teammates help retailers improve on-shelf availability, pricing accuracy, planogram compliance, and store safety.

With deployments across grocery, building supply, and other high-SKU retail environments, Badger Technologies provides retailers with real-time data and actionable insights that drive measurable results. Headquartered in Nicholasville, Kentucky, the company is committed to helping retailers build smarter, safer, and more efficient stores.